Maintaining a professional and clean work environment is not only important when it comes to impressing new clients, but also with respect to ensuring an effective and efficient staff.  Regardless of the type or size of your business, you most likely want to hire professional cleaners to make sure that your offices are always in tip-top condition.

While a small business owner with an office of just a few staff members may prefer local maid services, larger companies usually opt for commercial cleaners.  Ultimately, it’s important to understand the difference between a maid service and commercial cleaning, and also to identify your needs when deciding your cleaning protocol.

What are Commercial Cleaning Companies?

What exactly is a commercial cleaning company and what can you expect?  Well, while a maid service offers most of the basic cleaning activities including vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and bathroom cleaning, commercial cleaning companies typically offer a wider range of services that apply to a variety of workplaces.  For example, commercial cleaners will cover all the tasks of a maid service while also offering more advanced services such as cleaning carpet and upholstery, changing light bulbs, removing garbage and recycling, providing emergency cleaning services, and more.  In addition, commercial cleaning companies often have a range of specialized equipment that ensure their cleaning tasks are completed thoroughly.

Maid or Commercial Cleaner?

When deciding whether you need a maid service or a commercial cleaning company, you first need to identify your needs.  Commercial cleaning and janitorial companies will offer a complete range of services.  Depending on your current needs, a maid may not be able to help.  Ultimately, you want to work with a company that can handle the cleaning tasks you need on a schedule that suits your company.  For example, you likely want regular cleanings of bathrooms, floors, and windows as well as garbage removal; if this is the extent of your cleaning needs, consider hiring a maid service.  On the other hand, retail and industrial settings, and even some office environments may require more advanced cleaning.  Do you want your carpets cleaned?  Are your offices located in a high-rise requiring specialized window cleaning equipment?

Ideally, you want to speak to potential cleaners and assess exactly what they can offer.  If your cleaning company or maid service does not offer what you need, you need to keep looking.  Take some time to contact a number of professionals to see what they can do and how much it will cost.  Also, remember that maid services are not as customizable as commercial cleaning services, but whichever route you decide to take, make sure to develop and sign an explicit cleaning contract so that you can rest easy knowing your workplace will be cleaned thoroughly and efficiently.

A successful business will always maintain a clean and sanitary office or workplace.  For the most part, business owners decide to hire a professional cleaning service rather than hiring a full-time janitor for their cleaning needs.  If you’ve already started to look for a cleaning company, you probably have already found several companies offering cleaning services in your city.  So really, it all comes down to know what to expect from a good office cleaning company and then picking a company that can meet your needs.  So what should you look for in an office cleaning company?

Price

The best office cleaning companies probably won’t be the cheapest, but they’ll have a competitive price.  Ultimately, you want to work with somebody that can offer the services you need within your budget.  Contact your shortlist of cleaning professionals and ask for a quote for your services.

Insurance

Always work with a professional cleaning company that is fully insured.  You want to be sure that they hold liability insurance as well as worker’s compensation insurance.  If your cleaning company is not properly insured, you may be liable for damage to y our property or even worker injury.

Contract

The most reputable office cleaning companies will work with you to develop a fair and thorough cleaning contract that outlines the services that will be provided, the schedule for these services, and the ultimate cost of the cleaning services.  Sometimes, the contract will cover a defined period of time, so be sure to read the contract carefully to avoid being locked into a difficult contract.

Experience

It’s not that a new cleaning company will not be able to provide the same quality of service as an established company, but you definitely want to consider the experience of your professional cleaners.  More specifically, you want to know that the cleaners have experience with the services you require.  In any case, experienced cleaners have had the time to develop an efficient cleaning system and may be the better choice.

References

Finally, when you’re looking for an office cleaning company, you should always ask for references.  Indeed, if a company is not willing to provide you with references, move along.  Quality cleaning companies will provide you with several references from past clients who have required similar services as you.  By contacting the references, you can get valuable information about the professionalism and quality of the work provided by that particular company.  It’s really the only way to get a true gauge of a cleaning company’s reputation.

Just remember, not all cleaning companies are created equally.  Take some time to define what you need and want and then look for a company that fits these needs.

Carpets are warm and comfortable but they are also prone to stains. It’s just a fact of life that from time to time we’re going to have a spill or accident, but you shouldn’t stress. Regardless of the type of food or drink, there are a wide range of tested cleaning traditions that will almost always do the trick. However, stain removal tips will vary depending on the type of carpet. So let’s talk about how to remove stains from synthetic-fibre carpets based on the type of stain.

Stain type: wine, ketchup, chocolate, coffee, tea, beer, milk, tomato, berries, juice, and soda

Tips:

First, moisten a white cloth with a solution of water and detergent and gently dab the stain repeatedly. Next, firmly press the cloth to the stain for a few seconds allowing the solution to penetrate the stain. After the solution has time to break down the stain (about 15 minutes), soak up the extra liquid with a dry white cloth. Then, repeat this process with a vinegar solution in order to remove residual detergent. Finally, rinse the area by blotting with a clean cloth soaked in warm water. If you notice that the stain is lighter but not completely removed, repeat this entire process until the stain is gone.

Stain type: Oil and grease

Tips:

For stains from butter, cheese, cooking oil, nail polish or other types of oil and grease apply a small amount of cleaning solution to the stain with a white cloth. Dap the stain and then press to the spot for a few seconds. Next, rinse the spot with a white cloth soaked in warm water. When the area is completely dry, check for signs of a stain, if it remains, repeat this entire process.

Stain type: Dirt and Mud

Tips:

First, vacuum the area to remove as much of the dirt as possible, but take care not to rub the dirt into the carpet. Next, with a white cloth dipped in cleaning solution, dab the spot repeatedly. Press the spot to the stain for a few seconds and allow 15 minutes for the detergent to work on the stain. Finally, soak up excess liquid with a dry cloth and then dab the spot repeatedly with a cloth soaked in warm water.

Stain type: gum, wax

Tips:

Fill a re-sealable bag with ice cubs and gently rub the stain until the wax or gum hardens. Next, break the stain with a blunt object and vacuum away the loose pieces. Blot the stain with a white cloth lightly dipped in cleaning solution and then rinse the area with a cloth soaked in warm water.
As you can see, there are many different kinds of stains with slightly different techniques required for cleaning. Nevertheless, with a little elbow grease you can remove just about any stain and leave your carpets looking like new.

There are many good reasons to keep your office clean. One of the most basic and easily understood reasons is hygiene. In order to prevent the spread of germs – either from your hands onto office equipment or from equipment onto your hands – your desk and workspace should be sanitized regularly. In addition, a tidy office is also important for workplace productivity. Countless studies have shown that individuals who work in a clean, well-kept office are much more effective in their job than those who work in a cluttered or disorganized office. The following tips will help you keep your office clean so you can stay healthy and reach your optimal performance.

Develop Habits

When it comes to keeping your office free of clutter, stacks of paper, and other signs of disorganization, it’s important to develop good cleaning habits. We all know how easy it is to get lazy and allow less critical tasks to be overlooked, especially during times when we are stressed and busy. A simple reminder on your desk or in your calendar to take 15 minutes every day to clean your desk and office will help you develop the habits that keep your workspace tidy and functional. Eventually, you’ll clean out of habit and you won’t need the reminders anymore.

Expand your Habits

Not only should you tidy files and stacks of paper from your desk, but you should make a plan to sanitize your desk at least once a week. After you have cleared your desk of clutter, you should use a cloth and spray cleaner to wipe clean all office equipment on your desk including your computer, telephone, monitor, and keyboard. This will keep your desk free of germs and dust so that you actually stay healthier.

Your Desk is Not a Lunchroom

It may seem difficult, but you should always try to avoid eating at your desk. Not only does eating create a mess (turn your keyboard upside down to see how many crumbs are in there), but eating at your desk prevents you from taking a break from work. So, when it comes to lunch or break time, take your food to the cafeteria, park, or anywhere but your desk.

Remove Trash

You need to be sure that trash and recycling is removed from your office regularly. If you do not have office cleaning staff to do this, then you should make sure to empty your waste basket regularly. Garbage often provides the perfect environment for bacteria to grow which exposes you to unnecessary germs while also creating an unpleasant odor. You should therefore remove garbage regularly and make sure to wipe down your trash bins at least once a week.

Clean the Floor

Regularly vacuuming your floors removes dust and germs and may even improve air quality in your office. If your floors are not carpeted, you should sweep and mop them once a week. Taking the time to clean your floors is an important step in maintaining a clean office.
Remember, your clean office not only protects you from unnecessary illness while improving your productivity, it also creates a positive first impression for coworkers, management, and clients.